Demonstration of tracheal bronchus associated with tracheal stenosis using direct coronal computed tomography

Inspiratory stridor in a 12‐month‐old girl

“…Abnormalities involving the trachea and bronchi have previously been investigated on fiber‐optic endoscopy and, more recently, spiral CT, with or without 3‐D reconstruction, to better demonstrate tracheobronchial tree abnormalities, to measure tracheal length and width 5 . Indeed, in the present case, fiber‐optic bronchoscopy alone erroneously generated diagnosis of tracheal stenosis with hypoplasia of the main bronchi and was not helpful in detecting the presence of tracheal bronchus or in giving information on the real morphology of tracheal stenosis.…”

Evaluation of tracheobronchial anomalies in children using low‐dose multidetector CT: Report of a 13‐year‐old boy with a tracheal bronchus and recurrent pulmonary infections

“…Cross-sectional imaging was shown to significantly improve diagnostic yield in the detection of tracheobronchial anomalies; 11 demonstration of a tracheal bronchus at computed tomography has been occasionally reported in the literature. 9,[12][13][14][15] In addition to standard axial images, multiplanar reformations and coronal views have been demonstrated to be useful for the delineation of airway configuration, thus enabling detection of congenital tracheobronchial anomalies. 14,15 MDCT offers the possibility to generate a realistic three-dimensional virtual endoscopy.…”

“…9,[12][13][14][15] In addition to standard axial images, multiplanar reformations and coronal views have been demonstrated to be useful for the delineation of airway configuration, thus enabling detection of congenital tracheobronchial anomalies. 14,15 MDCT offers the possibility to generate a realistic three-dimensional virtual endoscopy. Although larger studies for evaluation are still pending, initial experiences with this new imaging modality demonstrated that the tracheobronchial system can be adequately displayed.…”

Multidetector row CT for imaging the paediatric tracheobronchial tree

“…Approximately 1–12% of adult patients who undergo bronchoscopy demonstrate some form of congenital variant [1, 11]. Tracheobronchial anomalies may be associated with recurrent episodes of pulmonary infection and airway obstruction and usually go undiagnosed with conventional imaging [1, 12].…”

“…Its presence may be associated in some patients with other abnormalities of the lung or within the spectrum of the VACTREL ( V vertebral, A anorectal atresia, C cardiac, T tracheobronchial, R renal, E esophageal, L lumbosacral/limb abnormalities) association. Diagnosis of tracheal bronchus should be considered early in the clinical course of intubated patients with recurrent right upper-lobe complications [11]. Coronal MPRs are particularly helpful in demonstrating the presence of a tracheal bronchus, which may go undetected on axial images.…”